Electric feeler mechanism for looms



Nov. 24, 1931. J. B. JACKSON ELECTRIC FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Sept. 26, 1930 Y s3 M 2; 1 R x m a a N w w m m a my m ww-r \35 s m m a a M MW 6 k. m 3 mw & Q \4 m .6 :L k B 4 J 54 m2 mwv r vvvvvuvvvv u 1 I n 4 mm 4 1 v Patented Nov, 24, 1931 'UNITEDpSTAT ES PATENT OFFICE v .rosnrn B. aAcKsoN, or MiLFORI), mssnonnsnr rs, AssreNoR TO Dmitri. conroim- I TION, or HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A'coBroRArroN or MAINE ELECTRIC FEELER MECHANISM FOR rooms Application filed September 26, 1930. Serial No. 484,506.

This invention relates to feeler mechanism for looms and is more particularlydirected to rfeeler mechanisms ofthe electric type wherein on the completiion or interruption of 'an electric circuit means are set in operation to either stop the loom-or cause filling replenishment.

Feeler mechanisms ofthe electric type 1 have usually consisted of two feeler members mounted in a feelerj stand and normally engaged with the terminalsof an electric circuit, to completewhich on substantial exhausr tion of filling in theshuttle a circuit closing member or metal sleeve has been employed on the filling carrier orbobbin for engagement with the ends of the feeler members. The

occasional formation of a spark between the 1 is to provide a feeler mechanism of the elec- 'trictype which shall'be simple in construction, 'efiective in operation and wherein should a sparkoccur, 1t w1ll be so confined remote from any lint or accumulation of fibre that-the objections heretofore present will be obviated. a V In accordance with the present invention,

two single feeler members are mounted upon a feeler stand for movement towards and ifrom ithe front of the loom, and'one of the feeler members is inconstant electric connec tion with one terminal 'of an electric circuit,"

while the other feeler member is normally insulated from the second 1 terminal and is brought into contact, therewith only after the rear end portions ofthe feeler members have been electrically closed by contact witha closing memberor sleevemounted upon the fill ing carrier or bobbin, the-effect being that should a spark occur onthe make or break of the electric circuit, it will be so confined V 'Another' feature ofthe invention in mounting the two feeler members for slid- 'fing engagement with the: terminals of the as to offer no objections, .7

consists one good form thereof.

electric circuit, thereby tending for the production of more certainresults.

scription and the accompanying In the drawings: Fig, 1 is a sectional plan View of certain portions of a loom with the present invention applied thereto, some of the parts being broken away; and v Fig. 2 is a front elevation showing the {electric feeler mechanism assembled on the oom.

Electric feeler mechanisms may be util-' ized to change the loom operation either by lnitiating replenishment or effecting loom stoppage, but since the train of mechanism to effect either of these purposes is now wella known, detailed illustration and description willbe unnecessary; I

The, loom frame 1- may be of any usual construction for the support of the electric feeler'mechanism of the present invention,

and, as shown,the loom frame 1 has a lateral projection 2 on which is mounted a bracket 8 appropriately secured to the loom frame by a bolt 4 passing through slot or opening 5 in the lateral projection, the construction -being-such that the bracket 3 affords an ad- 'The invention and novel featuresthereof Wlll best be made clear from thefollowing de-i drawings of 1 justable support for the feeler mechanism.

"Surmounting the bracket 3 is the feeler stand 6 which is shown as formed of insulating material, and preferably composed of an upper part 7 and a lower ately secured together.

The two feeler members 9 and 10 are mounted upon the-feeler stand 6 for movement towards and from the front of the loom, and each consists of a single stem expart 8 appropritending through an opening 11 inth'e feeler stand and each provided with a head or shouldered portion 12 against which rests p the rear end portion of a spring13, the front end portion of which bearsupon a bushing 14 of insulating material, and provided with an opening through which the front portion ofthe feelers extend with permissive move- 'ment' towards and from the front of the loom.

In accordance with the'present invention, one of the feeler members, 9 in the present instance, is in constant electrical connection with one terminal of an electric circuit, while the other feeler member is insulated from result being that-whenthe two feeler mem-v bers have engaged the circuit closing memher on the filling carrier of bobbin in the 10 shuttle upon substantial exhaustion of filling,

about a change in the loom, opera-tion As shown in the present instance of the ;;6leGi/rlQ ,circuit,-.19,- and as. shown, Fig, 2, the connection between the end 18 of the.

electric circuit and thebolt-;17 maybe appropriately efiectedby a nut, or other bindelement secured to the lower end of ing so the .bolt 17; bya threaded connection or otherwise. I I 7 The second. feeler member 1 0, whlch'is shown -.as ,-sho rt er than the feeler member 9, is normally insulated'from the otherter- ;.;minal ofthe electric circuitand, as shown,

this is effected by the bushing 14 as described, through which ;the front. end of the feeler member 10. has sliding movement Frontward of the. insulating bushing 14. is- ,a metal bushing 21 which,- like the fmetal,

bushing 15, is provided with a circular re-q cessi22 which is engaged by a binding post:

or. bolt;23 passed through the insulating casing 6 and; engaging therecess 22.

45. The; other terminal 24; of the electric circuit mayjbe secured to the ,binding piost or, bolt 23in an. appropriate manner, as indicated inFig. 2, as bythe nut 25 threaded onthe-bolt 23.

it will be noted that thefeelermechanism constituting the present inventionincludes tWOfIEQGlQI'. members, one of which is inconstant electrical communicationqwith .0118 ter- ,mminal-of {the electric circuit and the other.

vof. ;which-,is normally-insulated from the-.

other. terminal,} and both feeler members are i monntedin-the nsulatmgcasing or stand-6 The lay; 26, .the usual shuttle; box 27,;the, vfront wall 28 of whichiis provided.

i of the shuttle 31' to thereby afford passage bobbin holding jaws 32 whichare detachably the other terminal of the electric circuit,the

- be conveniently constituted--asa metal sleeve 7 only one electriccontact is-necessary to-brlng to effect-electricaleonnectionbetween the ends feeler membent). has its front-portion norw mally in electrical contaetwith a metal,

From the construction thus far described 7 I v P change in the loom operation; for -;movement towards and frornthe Irontw for the two feeler members 9 and 1 0 into the shuttle on a detecting beat to feel for the filling. I I

The shuttle 30 is provided with the usual engaged by the head 33. of the filling carrier or bobbin 34: on which thefilling isiwound,

mounted on the filling carrier or bobbin 34 1s a circult closing member 35 which may of, the two feeler, members 9 and 10 when the I filling is substantially exhausted ona detectingbeat,.theconstruction being such that on substantial exhaustion of filling the end por- '80 tions of thetwo. teeler :members; 9 and 10v will be .engaged by thecircuit qclosing member, 35 Y on -the bobbini'or filling carrier on a detecting;

:be'at Land; electrically. connect the two :feeler members and .as, the lay beats up, "the,-.-two

feeler, members-will be moved frontwardly thereby causing the second feeler member 10 tube projected into the metalbushing-Zland form .an electric connection between it .and thesecond, terminal to, thereby complete 7 the circuit.KTl1us;it will ilOG noted thatonly; one V electriccontact: is necessary, that betweenthe' fecler member 10:amlthebushirrgfi, in order to..comp1ete. the circuit: and-effect. a change; in:loom; 10peration, and in case of the occur-. rence oiia spark during the :make .or. bre'ak5of.

-. the ifeeler member 7 10., withzthe second. terminah, =such-zspark :Wll'l; be confined. within the insulated casingorifeeler stand 6 at; a point remote: from any: lint or; other inflammable; 1natter..- 2 l As willbe-apparent from the foregoingdeiscription,:both-vteeler members) and 10 have slidingi engagement -;with :the bushings :15 and. 21,- thereby maintaining cleansurfaces for: 11 16013110 {connection between the 'feeler lnembers and their. respective terminals of the A circuit... 1

The completion 1 of the circuit, as; hereinber for described, may be utilized through; any train of: mechanism to change the loom-ojpere ation, and asltypicalot such-train of mecha nism the presentinvention showsa magnetic device .which may ,include. a solenoid :36 mounted in. a casing 37, appropriatelysecured at.-.38 ,to the. loom frame.

The' corefor armature39 is jmounted for slidingmovement within the solenoid and has a pro ecting. arm 40 connected to a transmit.

ter 4lwhereby movement. of the core or-armature 39nnder the influence ofjthe solenoid when-the' circuitis completed-'will-cause The wire42 'wh' ch extends from the bind ing post or: bolt23 is connected to 1 the sole- ,noid, as indicated at 43,.Iand the wire '44 extending from the source-ofeleictric energy at. I withran open1ng;29.. wh-ich registers withfa; corresponding opening v iintheyfront wall such that; when thegoircuit-is completed, as 130 45 is likewise. :connectedto the other end; of the; solenoid, as at A6, the construction being light spring 47 and limited under spring stress by a stop 48, with permissive movement of the core 39 under the influence of the energized solenoid. The magnetic device, as herein described, is merely typical of a train of mechanism which may be actuated on completion of the electric circuit through the feeler mechanism to effect either loom stoppage or replenishment of fillin l/Vhat is claimed is:

1. In an electric feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, two feeler members independently, mounted on the feeler stand for movement towards and from the front of the loom, one of said feeler members being continuously in sliding electric connection with one terminal of an elec-- tric circuit, the second of said feeler members being normally out of electric connection with the other terminal of the electric circuit, a circuit closing member within the shuttle to engage both feeler members when the filling is substantially exhausted and effeet movement of the second feeler member into sliding electric connection with the other terminal to complete the circuit as the lay moves frontwardly, and means for changing the loom operation when the electriccircuit is completed.

2. In an electric feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two feeler members mounted for independentmovement to- 'wards and from the front of the loom,

a shuttle having a filling carrier provided with a circuit closing member for contact with. both feeler members when the filling is exhausted on a detecting beat, one of said feeler members being normally in sliding electric connection with an electric terminal, the other of said members being normally insulated from the other terminal and 'caused to slide thereon andcomplete the circuit after the two teller members have been engaged by the circuit closing member on the filling carrier, and meanstor changing the loom operation on completion of the circuit. 3. In an electric feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two feeler members, one of which is normally in sliding connection with one terminalof an electric circuit and the second of which is normallyinsulated from the other terminal, a circuit closing member mounted on the filling carrier in the shuttle to close the electrical-"connection between the two feeler members on substantial exhaustion of filling on a detecting beat and cause the second teeler member to slide on the said other terminalas the second feeler member moves frontwardly subsequentto its engagement with the circuit closing member on the filling carrier, and

means rendered effective to eflect replenishment of filling when the circuit is completed.

4. Ina feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a 'feeler stand formed of insulatingmaterial, a feeler member constituted as a metallic stem mounted on the stand and in continuous sliding electrical connection with an electric circuit, a second feeler ,member mounted on the feeler stand and insulated from the electric circuit, a circuit closing member on the filling carrier for en gagement with both feeler members when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat to first close the circuit between said feeler members and then move the second 'feelei' member into sliding connection with the circuit to close the circuit within the j teeler stand that any spark may be confined within the stand, and means for changing the loom operation when the circuit is completed.

5. In an electric feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand formed of insulating material, a shuttle having a filling carrier provided with a circuit closing member, two feeler members the rear ends of which engage the circuit closing member when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, an electric circuit hav ing one of its terminals in continuous sliding engagement with one of the feeler members and its other terminal normally insulated from the second feeler member until the second feeler member is moved frontwardly so means for replenishing the filling on completion of the electric circuit.

6. In an electric feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a shuttle having a filling carrier provided with a circuit closing member, an electric circuit, a teeler member having a constant sliding engagement with one terminal of the circuit, a second teeler member normally insulated from the second terminal of the circuit and moved into sliding engagement with said second terminal on the beat up, that upon substantial. exhaustion offilling on a detecting beat the rear ends of the feeler members will first engage the circuit closing member on the filling carrier and thereafter the second feeler member will be moved frontwardly to close the circuit through-sliding engagement nal, a shuttle having a filling carrier provided with a circuit closing, member for closingthe circuit through'the two feeler members on substantial exhaustion otfilling and thereafter causing the short feeler member to close the. circuitgthroughsliding engagement with the second terminal of the circuit. 'if

8. Anelectric feeler for-looms, comprising a. ieeler stand formed of insulating material, -two feeler members mounted on the feeler stand for sliding movement towards and Q tromrthe front of theloom, a metallic member constituting one terminal of an electric circuit in constant sliding engagement with one of thefeeler members, a second metallic" member constituting a second terminal of the circuit, and normally insulated from the other feelermember that the'latter may have sliding engagement with the second metallic 20511161111381 upon front-ward movement of said feeler members. 7 I 7 9. An electric feeler forlooms,comprising a feelerstand formed'ot insulating material, two feeler member s'of unequal lengths, each zsvwformed of a single metallic stem extending from front to rear of the teeler stand, an electric terminal with which the longer of the feelermembers is in constant sliding engagement, an electric terminal'with which the" 30.-'. shorter of the feeler members isvnormally out of-sliding. engagement, a metallic member in theshuttle for moving both feelermembers frontwardly when the filling is substantially 1 exhausted on'a detecting beat to move the #gshorter feeler member into sliding engagementwith its terminal and complete the cir cuit,'and means actuated on completion ofthe circuit to ell'ect a change in the loom operation; V 7 40 10. Anelectricffeeler for looms, compris-- ing a feeler stand formed of insulating ma terial, two feeler members of unequal lengths each formed of a single metallic stemextending from front to rear of the feeler stand, metallic sleeve constituting an electric terminal at the front portion of the feeler stand in which the front end of the longer feeler member has constant-sliding engagement, a second metallicsleeve constituting Eanother electric terminal in which the shorter 'feeler member has sliding engagement only when it is moved frontwardly from its nor-' 7 mal rearward position, a metallic member in the shuttle for moving the feeler members 1 jir'ontwardly when filling is substantially ex;- haustedon a detectingbeat to co'm'pletethe circuit, and means actuated on completion l of the circuit to change the loom operation.

In testimony whereof, I haveisigned my iname to this specification. l

, JOSEPH B. JACKSON; 

